Effect and Mechanisms of Quercetin for Experimental Focal Cerebral Ischemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#animals #blood-brain-barrier #cerebral-infarction #disease-models-animal #humans

Effect and Mechanisms of Quercetin for Experimental Focal Cerebral Ischemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Guo et al., 2022 | Oxid Med Cell Longev | Meta Analysis

Citation

Guo Chao, Wang Wen-Jun, ... Wang Jing-Wen. Effect and Mechanisms of Quercetin for Experimental Focal Cerebral Ischemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2022;2022:9749461. doi:10.1155/2022/9749461

Abstract

Quercetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, is mainly extracted from tea, onions, and apples. It has the underlying neuroprotective effect on experimental ischemic stroke. A systematic review and meta-analysis were used to assess quercetin's efficacy and possible mechanisms in treating focal cerebral ischemia. Compared with the control group, twelve studies reported a remarkable function of quercetin in improving the neurological function score (NFS) (P < 0.05), and twelve studies reported a significant effect on reducing infarct volume (P < 0.05). Moreover, two and three studies showed that quercetin could alleviate blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and brain water content, respectively. The mechanisms of quercetin against focal cerebral ischemia are diverse, involving antioxidation, antiapoptotic, anti-inflammation, and calcium overload reduction. On the whole, the present study suggested that quercetin can exert a protective effect on experimental ischemic stroke. Although the effect size may be overestimated because of the quality of studies and possible publication bias, these results indicated that quercetin might be a promising neuroprotective agent for human ischemic stroke. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD 42021275656.

Key Findings

This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD 42021275656.

Outcomes Measured

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Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition inflammation

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier
  • Cerebral Infarction
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Ischemic Stroke
  • Male
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Permeability
  • Phytochemicals
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts
  • Quercetin
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: quercetin

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09